One airline made an example out of an unruly passenger it hopes will convince others to behave.
In a headline that seems better suited for the Daily Mail or Sun, UK-based Jet2.com announced:
Lifetime ban and £85,000 bill for passenger whose disruptive behaviour led to RAF scrambling fighter jets
Here’s what happened:
- On June 22, 2019, 25-year-old Chloe Haines boarded a flight from London (STN) to Dalaman, Turkey (DLM)
- About an hour after takeoff, Haines jumped up and attempted to open the emergency exit door and rush cockpit
- (FYI, it is virtually impossible to open an aircraft door when the cabin is fully-pressurized)
- Fellow passengers jumped up to restrain her
- She loudly screamed, “Get off me, I’m going to kill everyone!”
- The Royal Air Force scrambled two Typhoon fighters to escort the aircraft back to London Stansted
- Jet2.com banned Haines for life and sent her a £85,000 ($106,000) bill for costs associated with the diversion
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com, said:
Miss Haines’ behavior was one of the most serious cases of disruptive passenger behaviour that we have experienced. She must now face up to the consequences of her actions, and we will vigorously pursue to recover the costs that we incurred as a result of this divert, as we do with all disruptive passengers. As a family-friendly airline, we take an absolutely zero tolerance approach to disruptive behavior, and we hope that this sobering incident, with its very serious consequences, provides a stark warning to others who think that they can behave in this fashion.
CONCLUSION
It’s not clear from Jet2.com whether Haines was intoxicated, but other media reports verify this. But that’s not all. Apparently, the RAF jets created a sonic boom. Now homeowners are demanding compensation…some claimed to experience broken windows. The couple who restrained her also want a payout. Add that to her tab…
What do you think? Is this an effective way to discourage potential unruly passenger?
image: Michele Walker
Are you sure that photo is of Ms. Haines on Jet2? It looks more like you drug up a stock photo from United .
It is.
You missed the obvious sarcasm. “stock United photo”
Subtle, lol. I don’t think it’s considered shaming when involving criminal acts with intent to open the emergency exit and “kill everyone.”
it is a necessary action for the passengers and crew. please stop trying to advocate for the victim. if no action was done, there will be plenty of victims.
You missed the obvious sarcasm. “stock United photo” 😀
No shaming here, your headline and description are misleading. They are simply enforcing (some) of the consequences of this idiot passengers’ actions. I say hurray for the airline, thank them, and wish we would see more of the same.
I just wish the police had punched her out as they attempted to subdue her.
I am glad Jet2.com did this. Nothing wrong with it. But make no mistake, it is shaming.
A step in the right direction. I think that US airlines should do the same, including not allowing people like this on any US destination or originating flight. I’m not talking about the government no fly list, this would be among airlines themselves. Besides the massive financial penalties, these people can learn to enjoy Megabus for the rest of their lives.
Matthew, also with reference to the boy running amok and this incident, why has ‘shaming’ become such a dirty word that people are embarrassed to use? The woman in this in incident was an idiot, as are many others. Shaming should not be an issue.
It’s time there was a list of passengers who have behaved in this way and the list needs to be shared among all airlines. No one, passengers or crew deserve to fly with someone who behaves like this and there should be no second chances.